Simon & Schuster, one of the largest publishing companies in America, announced Thursday night on Twitter it will not distribute a book written by a Louisville Metro Police officer who was wounded during the raid on Breonna Taylor's apartment.
Post Hill Press, a Tennessee-based publisher, confirmed Thursday morning it is publishing a book by Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, The Courier Journal reported.
Mattingly fired six rounds during the March 13, 2020, attempted search of Taylor's apartment, shooting Taylor. He had been shot in the thigh, severing his femoral artery, seconds earlier by Taylor's boyfreind, Kenneth Walker, who later said he thought intruders were breaking in.
Simon & Schuster distributes books by writers published by Post Hill Press, but it will not do so with this book.
The company caught heat from anti-police activists.
A MoveOn.org petition demanding Simon & Schuster cancel the deal generated more than 20,000 signatures, and the social media backlash to news of Mattingly's book was swift.
The company issued this statement Thursday night. "Like much of the American public, earlier today Simon & Schuster learned of plans by distribution client Post Hill Press to publish a book by Jonathan Mattingly. We have subsequently decided not to be involved in the distribution of this book."
Post Hill Press issued a statement to the Associated Press: "His story is important and it deserves to be heard by the public at large," a spokesperson said in the statement. "We feel strongly that an open dialogue is essential to shining a light on the challenging issues our country is facing."
